The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has awarded $600,000 to Pembroke as part of $5.1 million in grant funds awarded to 13 local communities, through the Community HOME Investment Program.

The proposed neighborhood will be constructed in DuBois Square, bounded by Ledford, Gibson, Mary and South Main Street and owned by the city for several years, according to city officials.

The goal will be to ultimately create a community of 10 homes: six on the DuBois property facing Ledford Street and four on the Morris property facing South Main.

The CHIP funds are part of an annual allocation of HOME Investment Program funds received by the Department of Community Affairs from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

These funds assist the efforts of local governments, nonprofit organizations, and public housing authorities with providing safe and affordable housing within Georgia communities. In addition to HOME funds, the selected communities will contribute more than $1.6 million in matching funds to the grant awards.

The CHIP awards provide up to $300,000 for owner-occupied rehabilitation of unsafe or substandard homes and $600,000 for new construction of single-family homes for low- to moderate- income eligible homebuyers.

DCA Commissioner Christopher Nunn said, “This funding will play a role in enhancing these areas and improving the quality of life for Georgians.”

Pembroke’s Camellia Drive project, which includes four row houses, was also built through CHIP grants.